Blackburn Paired with Leverkusen

Blackburn Rovers have been drawn against German side Bayer Levekusen in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

After beating Nancy thanks to Lucas Neill's late strike on Wednesday Rovers ensured they won the group thus avoiding any of the Champions League dropouts, but with AS Livorno (Italy), Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel), Sporting Braga (Portugal), RC Lens (France), Zulte Waregem (Belgium), Fenerbahce (Turkey) and of course our German opponents Bayer Leverkusen possibilities we have arguably been given the toughest draw we could have as the former Champions League runners up are arguably a tougher opponent than most of the Champions League drop outs anyway!

The first leg takes place in Germany on 14th/15th February 2007 with the second at Ewood Park a week later on 22nd. Should we come through this draw we face the winner of the Lens - Panathinaikos match in he last 16 in March 2007.

James will do a more thorough roundup of the draw and our group opponents in the coming days, weeks and months so keep an eye out for these articles.

What about the other British clubs? Newcastle United face Zulte Waregem, Tottenham Hotspur play our group E rivals Feyenoord and Glasgow Rangers have to take on Hapoel Tel Aviv. I'd suggest all, maybe Spurs aside will be more than happy with their draws?

So there we have it Leverkusen, beaten by Spurs in their group are to be our next UEFA Cup opponents in what proves to be a very tough match but to be the best you've got to beat the rest and why not start with one of the toughest tests we could potentially come up against full stop…

Comments

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As I say we could have got an easier draw but if we genuinely want to win the tournament, or at least go very far we will face equally as tough, if not tougher opponents (if not that many tougher!) along the way.

They were Rrrrrubbish in Germany, as the other yiddo said, we should of stuffed them but some easy chances were missed. You should cruise into the next round, where Lens or Panathinaikos will be a sterner test!!

We know they're a good team........... all the better for us! this lets get an easy draw doesn't work, mind set is everything! Now i'm hopeful of progressing and knocking a decent teanm out along the way. It all ways worries me getting unknowns...

I just dont get anything this year. have we done something to the footballing Gods. Personally, i believe this is the hardest team we could of drawn, then again with the way our season has folded out, i guess it was expected

This is a great draw and I'll explain why.
They are an instantly recognisable team due to their Champions League exploits of previous seasons. Which should attract a large away following. I for one will be going.
However they are a team we can beat. They are not as strong as they once were and if we play witha full strength team and to potential then we should progress.
come on lads, 3 points at Reading today as well!!!! Lets have Derbyshire up front with McCarthy today.